hopkins



nitrh tetra @stent ffies.

IMPROVMBNT IMAGBINES FOR MAKING HOOP SKIRTS.

SPECIFICATION.

T0 ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, E. R. HOPKINS, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Machine for the Manufacture of Hoop Skirts, and that the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings hereinafter referred to, forms a full and exact specification of the same, wherein I have set forth the nature and principles of my said improvements, by whichl my invention may be distinguished from all others of a similar class, together with such parts as I' claim and desire to have secured to me by Letters Patent. v

The present invention relates to a. new and improved machine for the manufacture of hoop skirts, the essential and principal features of which consist, first, in anovel manner of cutting the series of springs which are to constitute the skirt to their varying and respective lengths; second, in a novel and peculiar arrangement and operation of a marker of any suitable form, by means of which, if the springs are properly fed to it, they can be marked at such points of theirlength as are to be intercepted bythe tapes of the skirt, whereby, when the springs have been wound or placed around the frame upon which the skirt is formed, the position or line of direction of their several tapes is plainly and distinctly indicated.

In accompanying plates of drawings my improved machine for the manufacture of hoop skirts is illustrated:

Figure 1, plate 1, being an elevation of one side of the machine.

Figure 2, an elevation of one end.

Figure, plate 2. a plan ortop view, with a portion of the machine or the frame or form for the hoop skirt removed therefrom.

Figure 4, a transverse section of the frame or form for the hoop skirt, taken in a plane near the larger end of the same, and parallel with the head plate at such end.

Figure 5, a detail view of the cutting implement of the machine.

Figure 6, a transverse vertical section, taken in the plane of the line a: x, iig. 3; and

Figures 7 and 8, detail views, to be hereinafter referred to.

A, in the drawings, represents the framework of the machine, which is to be of any suit-able construction, to receive and support the various operating parts to be herein described. B B, two similar conical-shaped drums or rollers, each turning in suitable bearings of the uprights C C of the framework A, with their apicesA toward each other and their peripheries in contact with each other; the two drums being interlocked or geared together by means of similar bevel gear-wheels D D secured to their apices, so that if one of the drums be turned by means of a crank-handle E, or by connecting it with any suitable driving` power, the other drum will be revolved in conjunction therewith. The circumferences of the larger and smaller ends of the drums B Aare to correspond, or nearly so, with the corresponding diameters of the hoop skirt, the intermediate points or circumferences of the drum consequently corresponding to the springs of the skirt interposed between the two end springs. A reel is placed below the drums B B, on which reel the wires or springs, of a number equal to that of which the skirt is to be composed, are wound, and their respective ends passed up through the apertures a a of the fixed horizontal guide-bar H of the machine below the drum, to and between the contact surfaces cf the drums, B, and thence through the apertures b lz of the fixed horizontal guide-bar I above the drums, 'from whence they are passed upwards through the apertures c c of the table or platform J of the machine,with their ends slightly projecting above the upper surface thereof, but uniformly. The apertures of the fixed guide-bars H and I, and of the table J, are in the same vertical planewith each other, which plane is tangent to the contact surfaces of the drums B through their whole1ength. The apertures of the guide-bars and table J, through which the several springs or wires -are passed'from their reel, are to be such as are in position to bring them in contact atsuch points of the peripheries of the` drums B as correspond in diameter to the portion ofthe skirt which they areto encircle or form a part of, so that if the said drums are made to perform one revolution the length of the several skirt-springs from the reel fed through by them will respectively correspond to the circumference of the skirt at the points of its length which they are to encircle or correspond with, whereby if any suitable knife is provided for the cutting of such springs at the proper points, and at the proper time, or `when the rollers have made a complete' revolution, the whole series of springs necessary for the skirt will be cut to their respective and proper lengths. K, a cutter-blade arranged in ways or guides of the table J. L, a

'lug upon the under side of the outer end of the cutter-blade K, with the slotted portionof which the upper end of a bent spring, M, fixed to the bed-plate N of the machine at its other end; this spring, bearing against the `cam surface O of the face of the wheel or disk I), a'ixed to the spindle or trunnion pin of the drum B, having the crank-handle E attached to it. The shape Aof the cam surface Oisto be such that, as it is revolved, it will draw, through the bent spring M, the cutter-blade backward or away from the line or points of the table at which the several springs project, and there hold it while the several springs 'arebeing fed up through the table by the action of the rollers B, when the revolution of such rollershaving been completed, the spring arm M escaping off the cam surface O at its edge Q, the cutter-blade K moves across the table apertures c c, cutting by its sharp cutting edge the sveral springs projecting therefrom; -after which it is instantly drawn back, and the springs are again fed up as before, and again cut; and so on as long as the machine is run. 'From the above it is plain to be seen that by means of the conical-shaped drums 0r rollers, in connection with suitable guides for the several springs as they pass to the said rollers, a serios of skirt springs can be cut at one and the same time int'o their respective and properlengths; so that, by then placing them around any suitable form or frame, suchas is ordinarily used in the manufacture of hoop skirts, askirt can be produced from them; the several springs being taped, Spangled, or clasped in any of the common' or suitable modes now practised therefor. In addition to the cutting of the several springs which are fed up through and between the conical drums B B, I have arranged a device for marking them at the proper points of their respective lengths as they move up to the knife-blade to be cut by it, so that when the springs have been placed around the hoop-skirt frame or form, the points of intersection of the various tapes of the skirt with the springs will be indicated,

thus enabling. the tapes to be run upon the springs with the utmost facility and dispatch, and with accuracy.'

For the accomplishment of the above result, R is the marking device, which at one end, S, is loosely hung by its elongated eye, T, upon the upper end of a xed post or standard, U, of the framework at an elevation above the upper guide-bar I for the skirt springs;r from which post it extends with its marking edge-V in a parallel line with the line of contact of the drums B, resting by its other end upon the arm W, pivoted or swivelled at its 'end X to the upright post Y of the bed-plate. This arm W rests upon the cam edge Z of the wheel A2 iiied to the spindle or shaft B2 of the apex of the drum having the crank-handle secured to it; the peculiar shape of which cam edge is shown `in g. 7, plate 2, and is such as to raise and lower the said arm W, and consequently the end of the marker resting upon it, in such manner and at such times that the marker, in beingvmoved forward toward the several springs passing between the drums B, will mark all of the same at such points of their respective lengths as correspond to the points at which the tapes are to intersect them; the 'marker and arm W moving upon the upright post or guide C2 by their respective elongated slotted eyed)2 and slotted end E2, as plainly shown iii the drawings. F2, a spiral spring hung at one end to the marker, and atthe other to a staple G2 of the machine bed-plate, the object of which spring is to hold the marker {irmly down upon the arm W, resting upon the cam A2. The fixed support of thejmarkeris at the larger base of the conical drums B; whereas the end of the marker all`ected by the peculiar shape of the cam A2 is at the smaller end of the drums, or that through and between which the shortest `spring of the skirt passes, which arrangement of theKmarker is necessitated from the well-known mode or manner in which the several tapes of a hoop skirt run in .reference tothe/length of thespring, which, for a more full and perfect understanding of the operation of the marker, and the shape of the cam that is used for raising and lowering it, will be now brieily stated. In the manufacture of hoop skirts, owing tothe peculiar ferm which is given to them by having the hoopsso placed that the upper band of the skirt is not concentric with the larger or lower hoop spring, but is placed so eccentric with regard thereto that a line' drawn perpendicular to the radius of the larger end from a point of its circumference will intersect, or nearly so, a radial line through the upper or smaller end of the skirt at the circumference thereof; as is well known, for the perfect-binding of the several springs of the skirt together by the tapes, it has been the custom and practice to run the various tapes at points equidistant from each other, or nearly so, at the larger end of the skirt up to the band which encircles the smaller end, in such a manner that while some run straight, others pass either to the rear or the front, either more or less; or, in other Words, gain in either one or the other direction. To provide for this gain, either to the rear or front of the tapes, from the larger end of the skirt to the upper 0r smaller end7 one end of the marker, or that at the smaller end, is raised or lowered. according as may be necessary to bringit into the proper position 'for marking the several springs of the skirt; and as no change occurs in the divisions atthe larger end of the skirt, this end of the marker is sustained upon a fixed support, as explained, the periphery of the cam being such as to raise or lower the marker as required. To bring the marker to bear against the springs the following arrangement of parts is provided: The lower end of the fixed support for the marker, in lieu of being secured to the bed-plate, or any part aihxed thereto, is attached to a bar H2, arranged in a horizontal plane, and so as to slide upon the horizontal cross-bar Iz of the framework A, one end of which cross-bar is grooved at J2 in avertical direction, and of such form that, as the drums B revolve, the series of lugs K2 fixed to the larger end of such drum having the crank-shaft will in turn abut against it, and sliding the said bar H2 upon its cross-bar I2, bring the marker forward'vand toward the springs suiiciently to properly mark them foi-'the tapes. These lugs, K2, are placed at equal distances apart, or at distances corresponding to the manner in which the several tapes are to be secured to the lower or larger end of the hoop, and are to be so arranged with regard to the feeding of the springs between the rollers andv the operation of the cam for raising or lowering one end of the marker as to actuate or move the ma-rker forward to mark the springs at the proper times. and points of their length; the number of lugs K2 corresponding to that of the tapes to be used on the skirt. L, a frame or form about which the springs are to be wound, which form consists of two heads, M2 M3, (one, M2, corresponding to the larger end of the skirt, and the other, M3, to the smaller end,) placed eccentric to each other, and connected together by a series of metallic or other suitable bands, N, placed at such points of the frame, and running in directions corresponding to the positions which the tapes are to have with reference to the springs. This frame I..2 is placed above the table of the machine with its smaller end toward the end of the table through which the shorter springs project, and' is hung by the short spindle or shaft O2xed to the' centre of its larger end M? in an upright P2 of the framework of thel ooms machine, in which upright it is turned in any proper manner. To the band N3, which is upon the front side of the skirt frame, a clamp bar VQ2 is secured, extending inthe direction of its length, by and in which clamp the ends of the various springs projecting from the table of the machine are fastened to the frame at the proper distances apart, with their ends projecting from the opposite side of the clamp between the band N3, to which it is secured, and the other front band N4, when turning the frame around in the direction represented by a red arrow in the drawings, iig. 1, plate l, the several springs are wound about the frame as they pass up through' the table, which, having been nearly completed, the several springs are again clamped in a suitable clamp just previous to being cut by the cutter-blade of the machine, when, with this clamp, the several ends of the springsv are laid over and upon their ends, clamped to the frame, and there secured by clamping them in a clamp T2, arranged at a suitable point between the two front bands N3 and N. Thus the several springs are secured to the frame, on which their ends are then clasped in the ordinary manner, and their tapes run across the same in the direction of the length of the skirt, the metallic bands N2 constituting the frame allowing them to be p Spangled, if so desired, before removing the skirt from the frame. U2, a band attached to the skirt frame to enable the clasps to be fastened to the springs. To prevent the slipping of the springs upon the bands of the frame, spring arms or plates V2 are secured to the frame at suitable points of it; which springs have studs or pins Wz at various points of their length, upon which thecdges of the hoop-skirt springs rest, and are thus prevented from slipping on the bands, as is obvious without any further explanation. These studs, by simply bending in their arms to which they are fastened, being relieved from the skirt springs, and offering no obstruction to their removal from the frame, when so desired. It may beliere remarked in further explanation of the' manner in which the hoop-skirt frame is hung, that when the smaller end of the frame 'is at the lowest point of its plane of revolution, the bands passing from such end to the larger end upon the then under side are in a horizontal plane, or nearly so, and parallel with the top of the table, as plainly shown in the drawings, gs. 1

and 2; and that, furthermore, as the skirt frame is revolved, the smaller end of -the same moves in a circle eccentric to the centre of the larger end, and passes through a distance or circular plane nearly, if not equal, to the' circumference or periphery of the larger end; so that, consequently, the amount or length of the wire springs drawn through the table at such endA is proportionally greater than the amount required, as the circumference of the circular plane described by it in revolving is greater than the periphery of the smaller end of the skirt; to take up which slack it is only necessary to reverse the direction in which the feed rollers or drums B B are turned, when the slack is all drawn through the table, and the several springs brought to the prop'erdegree of tension before being secured about the skirt frame or form. When the cutter or knife-blade for cutting'the springs is used, it is not necessary to reverse the movement of the rollers or drums B, provided the springs are placed in a suitable clamp previous to being cut; but if the knife-blade is not used, it will he necessary to reverse .the movement of the rollers in order to take up the slack of the springs produced by the distance through which lthe smaller end of the hoop-skirt frame L2 moves as the frame lis turned or revolved.

From the above description of my improved machine it is plain to be seen that one portion of it can be employed without necessarily using the other portions; as, for instance, if only desired to cut the springs to theproper lengths without marking the intersecting points of the tapes or the opposite thereto, namely, marking without cutting; and therefore I do not intend to limit myself to the combined operation as above explained, as one portion is susceptible of being used independent of and without the least regard to the other portions, although the whole combined together enables a skirt to be produced with the utmost rapidity, facility, and accuracy, the springs being all properly cut and marked, and the whole skirt automatically produced, as it were, except in the clasping of the ends of the springs and spangling the tapes when so desired.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to'secure by Letters Patent- 1. A machine in and by which a series of springs, such as are used in theA manufacture of hoop skirts, by properly feeding them to the machine, can be respectively, but simultaneously, cut to their proper lengths for encircling the frame or other suitable form used for the building or making the skirt upon, substantially as herein described. i

2. Whether combined with the above or not, a marker so arrangedand operated as to mark the series of springs, whether more 'or less in number, used for a hoop skirt, at such points of their respective lengths as correspond to the points of intersection therewith of the various tapes to be used for connecting and binding the series ofsprings together, substantially as herein described. l l

3. Theconical or other equivalent shaped feed rollers or drums B B, so hung and connected together as to Y revolve with their surfaces in contact, or nearly so, with each other, andl in conjunction, in combination with any suitable knife or cutter-blade, when arranged and combined together, substantially in the manner described and for the purpose specified'. t

'L In combination with the above, either with or without theknife or cutter-blade, of a marker of any suitable form, arranged so as to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

5. The' combina-tion, with the rollers or drums B, of the guides H and I for thesprings-passing between the said rollers, arranged together substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The raising and lowering the marker R, used by means of a cam A2, so constructedor formed as to operate upon the marker, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

7. So arranging and connecting the marker used with the driving power or shaft of the machine .at the proper times that it will be moved against the springs for the purpose of marking them, and then drawn back from the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. Thelcombination, with the feed rollers or drums ,B B, of any suitable form or frame, such as arc now used in the manufacture of hoop skirts, or Aany equivalent for the same, whether a knife or marker, or bot-h como together, are used, when said frame is arranged with regard to the rollers, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

9. A machine in which a series of springs, such as are used for the manufacture of hoop skirts, can be cut to their respective and proper length, according to the portion of the skirt they are 1z0-encircle, and marked" at such points of their length as are to be intersected by the tapes used for binding and connecting the springs together, and also delivered to and Wound about and around any suitable 'form or frame on which the skirt' is to be built or made, when the whole is combined together and arranged so a-s to operate substantially-in the manner described.

10. Providing a frameor form suitable for the manufacture of hoop skirts upon it, with a series of springarms V2, or their equivalents, having studs projecting from them, when such arms, with the studs, are so arranged as to prevent the hoop skirt, when wound upon the form, from slipping thereon, while at the same time they can be moved or swung away so as to v'oifer no obstruction to the withdrawal of the skirt from the said form after completion, or whenever so desired, substantially as described.

The above specicationy of my invention signed by me this 9th day of March, 1866.v

, E. R. HOPKINS, Witnesses:

M. M. LIVINGSTON,

F. A. JAcnsoN.

, aforo 

